This event smacks of the hope of spring: The Victory Garden, in cooperation with the Newtown Forest Association (NFA) and the Tom Sawyer School of Arboriculture, will be offering a free, two-hour workshop on fruit tree pruning, this Saturday, February 8, at 1 pm. Led by NFA board members arborist Dan Dalton and Harvey Pessin, the program takes place at the Victory Garden in Fairfield Hills (behind the duplexes on Washington Square). You’ll want to bring a bypass hand pruner for this hands-on class. The program is free, but registration is required. To register, e-mail harveypessin@gmail.com or call 203-241-0301.

On that same note ... It really isn’t too early to be thinking about gardens and plants. Plants in local gardens will begin emerging soon, some as soon as within the next few weeks. Are you ready? Do you want to spruce up what’s already in the ground? The Town & Country Garden Club will welcome Darryl Newman as their guest speaker when they meet at Newtown Senior Center on Wednesday, February 12. The co-owner of Planters Choice, Darryl is planning a presentation that will suggest new plants to replace those that may be disappointing. The club will have a business meeting at 6, and then the program will begin at 7. The Senior Center is at 8 Simpson Street, and reservations are not needed. For further information call 203-426-5418.

A Valentine’s Day gift from this event will surely make you number one in the eyes of your beloved. The Kennedy Center’s Palm & Able resale shop of Trumbull is holding a special one-day sale at Butcher’s Best Country Market in Newtown, located at 125 South Main Street. The pre-Valentine’s Day sale takes place on Saturday, February 8, from 10 am to 2 pm. This pop-up will feature a curated selection of jewelry, handbags, Kennedy Center original artwork, and a few specialty items; all sales benefit the Kennedy Center, which provides various supports to people with disabilities and special needs.

Paint With A Purpose gatherings hosted by Hearts of Hope-Newtown will resume next week. These events invite everyone who would like to paint palm-sized ceramic hearts with positive messages and/or images to join them. The February 12 event will focus on creating hearts for Families United in Newtown. It will be in the gathering hall of Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road. HOH-Newtown President Pattie Ptak sounded apologetic recently when she announced that the requested donation would increase from $5 to $6 per heart. The increase is the first in the chapter’s seven-plus year history, however, and it covers all supplies and shipping fees. Reservations are welcome, but not necessary. For additional information or to register, contact Pattie at 203-828-8103 or newtown@ourheartsofhope.org, or find Hearts of Hope Newtown CT on Facebook.

While currently it is the flu that is of more concern to Connecticut residents (23 deaths this season!), that does not mean that you should not be alert to any symptoms of the coronavirus that is plaguing China and moving into other countries — including the US. Coronavirus symptoms mimic those of the flu, so if you develop a fever, cough, and feel short of breath give your doctor a call. Doctors may or may not want you coming into the waiting area if there is a chance you have coronavirus — or even the flu. Meanwhile, to prevent infection, be vigilant about handwashing, and use soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer; keep hands away from mouth and face; stay away from sick people; stay home if you don’t feel well; cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue and toss it out; and keep surfaces regularly cleaned with a disinfectant spray. A little effort may keep you in the realm of healthiness this winter season.

Want to be part of our Community Buzz? We are currently seeking residents ages 16 to 40 to add to the roster of those interested in taking part in a Newtown Bee Community Buzz. The casual, one hour moderated conversation is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, February 22; topic: What would make Newtown a more livable community for all ages? If you would like to take part, send your contact information to editor@thebee.com, subject line: Community Buzz.

I moseyed down to the C.H. Booth Library on Monday and found Friends of the C.H. Booth Library volunteers elbow deep in book sorting, a job that only pauses briefly during the annual summer Book Sale. The volunteers on Monday were reveling in a wonderful donation of 120 boxes (figure about 30 books to a box, I’m told) recently given to the group. The lovingly cared for books will be cherished by anyone lucky enough to come across one at next summer’s big book sale. The Friends welcome all donations of books — use the back entrance to the library, turn by the Children’s Department, and you’ll find yourself at the Friends’ donation room. If you’re not sure about a donation or need assistance transporting a donation, contact boothbooksale@yahoo.com or call 203-270-4537. The Annual Book Sale is huge in both size, quality, and the support it brings to library programs.

A friendly zoo is just a few miles down the road, and loads of fun. Not only are there some rare and exotic animals at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, but there’s also a Zoo Farmyard with some more familiar critters. That farmyard is undergoing renovations and updates, and the zoo is hoping that you can donate to help make this section of the zoo even better. Visit beardsleyzoo.org to find out how to donate — and have your donation matched.

Last call! We thank those who have taken the time and effort to return our survey on print readership — if you have not yet done so, you’ll find the survey on page A10 of this week’s issue. Please return it to the office of The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, during regular business hours, 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday; mail it to us (the address is in the survey); or even send us a photograph of your answers, no later than February 14. If you choose to include your contact information, you will be entered in a drawing for one month free of The Newtown Bee, or an extension of one month to your subscription. I’m as curious as a cat can be to find out what our print readers love best about the paper — or where we can improve.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day — Newtown Community Center is hosting a desserts cooking class for ages 18 and up this coming Tuesday, February 11, from 6 to 8:30 pm. Register (there is a fee, and that depends on if you are a NCC member or not) at newtowncommunitycenter.org to find out how to make scrumptious desserts like a chocolate souffle, cream puff swans... Sounds like a delicious evening to me! Call 203-270-4349 with questions.

Byrd’s Books in Bethel, 178 Greenwood Avenue, is inviting you to read a love poem or two out loud at a Valentine’s Day celebration, February 14, from 7 to 9 pm. Bring your favorite love poem to share — by your favorite poet, or maybe it’s one of your own! Register for the evening of love, tea, and cookies at byrdsbooks.indielite.org/event/read-love-poem-night-february-14th.

I was sad to see The Gift Box on Church Hill Road/Queen Street close its doors for good last week. Losing a local business is never anything less than unfortunate, for owners as well as residents. We wish the best to Martine as she moves on.

Just because Punxsutawney Phil over there in Pennsylvania is predicting an early spring — apparently an uncommon call for the groundhog — I’m thinking that past Februaries have held some mighty stormy days. I’m keeping my fur coat in good shape, just in case.

Remember to mark your calendars, if you have not already, for First Selectman Dan Rosenthal’s next Fairfield Hills Info Session, Tuesday, February 18, at 7 pm. Join Mr Rosenthal in the lecture hall of Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road, for the third in a series of presentations about Fairfield Hills, past, present, and future. He welcomes questions about the campus at fh@newtownct.gov, or by mailing those questions to First Selectman’s Office, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown CT 06470. Questions will be addressed at appropriate sessions, or by the final info session.

What else should be in your “to-do” calendar? How about next week if you... Read me again.